Unique, Odd, or Interesting Signs aka The good, the bad, and the ugly

[J N Winkler]

Not as prominent as Oregon's use of their hidden designations, but NYSDOT also still refers to an ancient hidden designation of their state highways in project milestone documents so contractors can look up historical record plans if need be.  IIRC, they are hyphenated and in the "highway name" field.

Thanks for the hint!  I actually hadn't yet discovered NYSDOT's record plans portal.

I managed to track down the contract (D258109, from 2000) that placed bilingual signs along I-87 near the Canadian border:

[roadman65]

The only ramp for I-78 in PA that signs Easton.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jnkMNNtb5AXeopXX8
For some reason, PennDOT won't use New York as a control city here except at the exit near the NJ State Line and the more recent addition of PA 33.

Just like I-80 further north PA also ( as been discussed in other threads) is hesitant of using NY except near the Delaware River ( as PennDOT is even more hesitant of signing NJ cities) on signs for the two major E-W interstates.

[74/171FAN]

On PA 414 EB in Slate Run (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219891132869223&set=a.10219891250752170)

[ClassicHasClass]

I managed to track down the contract (D258109, from 2000) that placed bilingual signs along I-87 near the Canadian border:

Interesting that they had EXIT/SORTIE, but everything still in miles. Maine IIRC had km/mi for Canadian motorists near the border.

[74/171FAN]

On PA 184 WB just west of US 15 (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219891150989676&set=a.10219891250752170)



On Cogan House Rd just east of PA 184 (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219891153149730&set=a.10219891250752170)



On VA 24 EB at SR 634 EB in Vinton from February 2012 (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219896157354832&set=a.10216218268569911)



Charleston St at Cone St in Wellsboro, PA (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219891242191956&set=a.10219891250752170)

[amroad17]

The only ramp for I-78 in PA that signs Easton.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jnkMNNtb5AXeopXX8
For some reason, PennDOT won't use New York as a control city here except at the exit near the NJ State Line and the more recent addition of PA 33.

Just like I-80 further north PA also ( as been discussed in other threads) is hesitant of using NY except near the Delaware River ( as PennDOT is even more hesitant of signing NJ cities) on signs for the two major E-W interstates.

There is one mileage sign just east of the Frystown interchange (10 on I-78) that has New York City on it (Allentown 47/New York City 135).  I cannot remember offhand if there are any more mileage signs for NYC between there and the PA 33 interchange.  I found one just east of Exit 23: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jBkxiZ1msRRjxSmz6.  I-78 is signed for both New Jersey and NYC on PA 33: https://maps.app.goo.gl/R2wBvEaLFRw4edDQ8

I believe PennDOT should add Scranton (for I-81) and New York City (for I-78) in addition to Hazleton and Allentown on the NB signs at interchange 89 on I-81.

At the I-80/I-81 interchange near Hazleton, New England and New York City are on the overheads on I-80 EB. https://maps.app.goo.gl/JCVrRrgxnCxHsQ9A6  That was an excellent addition.

[AABattery]

The only ramp for I-78 in PA that signs Easton.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jnkMNNtb5AXeopXX8
For some reason, PennDOT won't use New York as a control city here except at the exit near the NJ State Line and the more recent addition of PA 33.

Just like I-80 further north PA also ( as been discussed in other threads) is hesitant of using NY except near the Delaware River ( as PennDOT is even more hesitant of signing NJ cities) on signs for the two major E-W interstates.

There is one mileage sign just east of the Frystown interchange (10 on I-78) that has New York City on it (Allentown 47/New York City 135).  I cannot remember offhand if there are any more mileage signs for NYC between there and the PA 33 interchange.  I found one just east of Exit 23: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jBkxiZ1msRRjxSmz6.  I-78 is signed for both New Jersey and NYC on PA 33: https://maps.app.goo.gl/R2wBvEaLFRw4edDQ8

I believe PennDOT should add Scranton (for I-81) and New York City (for I-78) in addition to Hazleton and Allentown on the NB signs at interchange 89 on I-81.

At the I-80/I-81 interchange near Hazleton, New England and New York City are on the overheads on I-80 EB. https://maps.app.goo.gl/JCVrRrgxnCxHsQ9A6  That was an excellent addition.

I just found another one for NYC around mm 76.5
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.6759381,-75.1966571,3a,47.4y,85.3h,84.48t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sXT8MprnPVuLKH4BBNC-H3g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

and another right after the PA-33 interchange (exit 71)
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.6428585,-75.2632483,3a,75y,81.69h,85.04t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1swElrwshB2ICoaQUIt07oww!2e0!5s20211201T000000!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

I can't find it either but I specifically remember one that had NYC at 100 miles somewhere in PA

[74/171FAN]

PA 414 EB at Blockhouse Rd (looking at Williamson Trail) in Liberty, PA. (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219891771325184&set=a.10219892151334684)



On US 6 approaching US 6 BUS (Tunkhannock) (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219891847167080&set=a.10219892151334684)

[roadman65]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/uAGYjPg19EopEW4f6
The ramp from Exit 42 on I-287 in Parsippany- Troy Hills, NJ is signed for US 202 and Morristown/ Butler.

Yet the ramp for SB Exit 42 on I-287 is signed for both US 46 & 202 with the control cities of Clifton and Dover.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/mfyCeCSS2z6JTdpe6

[74/171FAN]

On US 6 BUS (Carbondale) WB at 6th Ave in Carbondale, PA (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219891956209806&set=a.10219892151334684)



On PA 307 NB north of Keyser Ave in Scranton (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219891975570290&set=a.10219892151334684)



On PA 309 SB approaching Luzerne (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219891989050627&set=a.10219892151334684)

[roadman65]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/mQcXVyv5Dzd6BaTKA
Two conflicting guide signs for the same exit on NJ Route 495. One lists the next exit at 1.5 miles but the other list is being half of it.

[74/171FAN]

I found this on the US 119/US 250 concurrency south of Grafton, WV.

At the DEP Building in Harrisburg (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219907839126869&set=a.10219841211181212)



On Memorial Ave at Dolin Ave in Hopewell, VA. (https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10219917586250541&set=a.10219917684252991)

[roadman65]

https://www.aaroads.com/de/009/de-009-n-at-i-295-3.jpg

Delaware doesn't seem to remember these days that US 40 is still concurrent with I-295.

Looks like Arkansas Fever is spread up here.

[Amaury]

Washington does that in some places as well, though it generally does a good job signing its concurrencies. US 2 and US 97 are concurrent south of Orondo, for example, but this sign doesn't mention US 97 south to the right of US 2 west: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2E8d2gEShJLR5jai9 Nor does this newly erected signpost when the highway was named over the summer: https://maps.app.goo.gl/T738sc9sVFU3GHdF9 (Same for the same sign for eastbound/northbound on the other end.) However, in pretty much all other areas, it's recognized, such as here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z5jAkbWvjWLAvJ917

Here it's mentioned, but in the wrong order. US 2 should be first (on the left side) since its the primary route in the concurrency: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nwspgF6Pa9t6uhvTA

[Lukeisroads]

Why and how caltrans
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.263792,-119.2356865,3a,33.4y,184.81h,87.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sra-FqFbnrA3ouRMgOHXbBg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

[wanderer2575]

Why and how caltrans
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.263792,-119.2356865,3a,33.4y,184.81h,87.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sra-FqFbnrA3ouRMgOHXbBg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

Ummm...  Could you please give the rest of us a clue?  I see nothing unique or odd.

[vdeane]

Why and how caltrans
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.263792,-119.2356865,3a,33.4y,184.81h,87.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sra-FqFbnrA3ouRMgOHXbBg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

Ummm...  Could you please give the rest of us a clue?  I see nothing unique or odd.

Maybe the fact that "Telephono" seems to be some weird hybrid of English and Spanish?

[Rothman]

Why and how caltrans
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.263792,-119.2356865,3a,33.4y,184.81h,87.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sra-FqFbnrA3ouRMgOHXbBg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

Ummm...  Could you please give the rest of us a clue?  I see nothing unique or odd.

Maybe the fact that "Telephono" seems to be some weird hybrid of English and Spanish?

So, an o where an e should be.

[D-Dey65]

On US 6 approaching US 6 BUS (Tunkhannock) (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219891847167080&set=a.10219892151334684)

That clearing on the mountain in the distance isn't the runaway truck ramp, is it? 

Anyway, while searching for evidence of the "McQueens Island Bike Trail" on Tybee Island in Georgia, I stumbled upon this odd collection of signs on a gate at the Fort Pulaski Road Bridge on what appears to be an outdated Google Street View.

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.0207447,-80.8990075,3a,75y,82.12h,79.32t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1scmnppCNZBuH29u9pKE3vyw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en&e%20McQueens%20Island%20bike%20trail.entry=ttu

[74/171FAN]

^I do not think so based on GSV. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Swxbb7YJye5AWUqw6?g_st=ic

[D-Dey65]

^I do not think so based on GSV. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Swxbb7YJye5AWUqw6?g_st=ic

Okay. Then I suppose what I'm looking at is either a fire break, or a right-of-way for some kind of underground utility line. Gas or oil, perhaps.

[D-Dey65]

I don't think the "banner" under this Stop sign in Montauk is MUTCD-compliant, but somehow I would've been okay if it had been left alone.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fairview_@_South_Fairview_Avenue_in_Montauk;_Stop_at_Stop_Line.jpg


So is there some standard to it?

I saw an updated GSV of the intersection, and that banner is much more red now.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.0494205,-71.9319481,3a,75y,177.9h,104.85t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sPN4CpVu3nl-yxxEFSWmRiA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&entry=ttu

[LilianaUwU]

Move over, Limon, any of those Saints (except probably Saint-Albert, where A-955 ends) could go:

A-20 EB, sortie 210 - 1 by Liliana Vess, on Flickr

[amroad17]

^I do not think so based on GSV. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Swxbb7YJye5AWUqw6?g_st=ic

Okay. Then I suppose what I'm looking at is either a fire break, or a right-of-way for some kind of underground utility line. Gas or oil, perhaps.

Yes, gas pipeline.  This GSV is on North Eaton Road on the other side of the river from US 6: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ydLFBpTSY49cqEFu8

[D-Dey65]

^I do not think so based on GSV. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Swxbb7YJye5AWUqw6?g_st=ic

Okay. Then I suppose what I'm looking at is either a fire break, or a right-of-way for some kind of underground utility line. Gas or oil, perhaps.

Yes, gas pipeline.  This GSV is on North Eaton Road on the other side of the river from US 6: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ydLFBpTSY49cqEFu8

That makes sense. My third choice would've been a ski trail. The runaway truck ramp comment was supposed to be a joke. Sorry if it sucks that much.